MEMBERSHIP FAQ

Questions about membership? We have answers!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Buying or Renewing Your Membership

1. What are my membership options?

We offer three membership levels: Annual Pass, Family Passport and Conservation Partner. Annual Pass gives you the flexibility to build your own unique membership coverage. Annual Pass membership must include at least one named adult and can cover a maximum of three named adults, two flex guests and any number of children. Family Passport and Conservation Partner memberships both cover two named adults, their children and grandchildren 18 and under and a flex guest, and both include exclusive extra benefits. Family Passport includes two up-close animal experiences and five carousel rides. Conservation Partner includes invitations to special insider events and programs, four one-time-use guest passes, four up-close animal experiences, five complimentary carousel rides and two scheduled members-only early mornings each summer. Memberships are intended for use by individuals and families and may not be used by schools, daycares, preschools or churches.

2. What is a Flexible Guest?

The Flexible Guest is an unnamed adult add-on; not a standalone membership. This card can be used with or without the named adult present by a different individual each day. If there are children on the membership, the flexible guest card will also show the number of children covered. Please note, this card DOES NOT receive the half-priced guests.

3. Can I apply what I spent on day admission toward membership?

Yes! Just bring your original receipt to the membership office at either zoo entrance, or call membership customer service at (206) 548-2425. Each admission ticket can be applied toward the cost of each member. For example, if two adults and two children pay day admission and you decide to purchase a membership covering one adult and one child, the portion spent on day admission for one adult and one child can be applied toward membership. If you choose to cover both adults and both children on the membership, then the full amount spent on day admission can be applied toward membership. Receipt is required and will be honored within 30 days of your visit.

4. I have a nanny. What’s the best membership for me?

We recommend covering nannies with a flex guest pass. Family Passport and Conservation Partner memberships include the beloved flex pass. Our Annual Pass membership, which allows you to build your own unique coverage, lets you add on a flex pass once you've covered at least one named adult member. You can add a second flex pass to any membership level for additional cost. We strongly advise against covering a nanny as a named adult since named adult memberships are not transferable. In other words, if your nanny stops working for you mid-membership, the membership will stay in his or her name.

5. Do you offer discounts on membership?

Yes! Boeing and Microsoft employees can save $10 on a household membership when purchasing in person at either zoo entrance. Microsoft employees must present staff badge or insurance card as proof of current employment (Microsoft Prime Cards are valid for daily admission discounts only). Boeing employees must show their Discount Program card to receive the discount. Seattle Children's Hospital staff also save $10 when purchasing online with a promo code distributed by their HR department. College and university students who are 18 and older are eligible for discounted student membership when purchasing in person at the zoo. Students must present school ID or proof of current enrollment to receive the discount. Discount cannot be honored online, by phone or mail.

6. Do members get discounts on ZooTunes concert tickets?

Since ZooTunes concerts are a fundraiser for the zoo, we don't offer discounted concert tickets. However, members can purchase concert tickets online before they go on sale to the general public each spring. On concert days, members who arrive by 4:45 P.M. may join either of two lines that form inside the zoo. Please allow sufficient time to park and enter the zoo before access to these "inside lines" is cut off.

7. Is membership tax deductible?

Woodland Park Zoo is a qualified 501(c)(3) Washington state non-profit (tax ID #91-6070005). The tax deductible amount is the amount given, less the fair market value of membership benefits. Woodland Park Zoo determines the benefit of unlimited entry to the zoo to be the full cost of the membership. However, IRS rules allow taxpayers to claim a charitable deduction if the total membership cost is $75.00 or less. Please consult your advisor to determine the potential deductibility of your membership. Corporate membership is eligible for charitable deduction & the deductible amount is the amount given less the fair market value of benefits received. Click here to review the value of benefits at each corporate membership level.

8. Do I need to cover children age 2 and younger on my membership?

Children 2 and under are always free. If your child will turn 3 before your membership expires, you may add a child to your Annual Pass, pay half-price for the child each visit after they turn 3, or renew your membership early to start using updated benefits right away.

9. Can I renew before my current membership expires?

When you renew before your current membership has expired, we simply add a year to your current expiration date. You will never be penalized for renewing early.

Coming to the Zoo

1. How do I bring a guest to the zoo with me?

Annual Pass and Family Passport members may bring two half-price guests per named adult member every visit. Conservation Partner members can bring four half-price guests per named adult each visit. Guests must be accompanied by a named adult member to receive the discount.

2. Can a nanny or guest bring my children to the zoo without me?

We recommend covering nannies with a flex pass. Anyone (friend, family, nanny, whoever) may enter the zoo for free with your flex guest card in hand. Flex guests don't have to be accompanied by a named adult member, and they may enter alone with the children. We strongly advise against naming your nanny on a membership since nannies may come and go and named adult membership is non-transferable.

3. When will I receive my membership card(s)?

You may pick up new membership cards in the membership office at either zoo entrance. If you renewed by mail, please allow up to two weeks for processing. Gate staff will take your picture and print your card with your photo on it, which will allow you to bypass the ticketing windows and walk right in! Your membership begins at time of purchase, not when the cards are picked up.

4. Can I visit the zoo right after purchasing a membership?

Absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. Memberships purchased online or in person at the zoo are active in our member database immediately, so new membership cards and benefits packages are available for pick-up in the membership office at either zoo entrance. If you purchased through the mail, there may be a delay of up to two weeks before your membership is processed. Please call membership customer service at (206) 548-2425 if you'd like to confirm your status.

5. I lost my membership card. What should I do?

You can have a new membership card printed the next time you visit the zoo, or call membership customer service at (206) 548-2425. There is a $5 processing fee for replacement membership cards.

6. Do members pay for parking?

Yes. Parking is $6.00 for cars, $4.00 for motorcycles and $18.00 for RVs, buses and other oversized vehicles. Click here for more information about parking. Fees may change without notice.

7. Can I use my membership at other zoos and aquariums?

Woodland Park Zoo membership gives you half-price admission to more than 150 reciprocal zoos and aquariums in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Each institution has their own policies so membership privileges may vary. Please contact the institution you are visiting prior to arrival for specific details and to make sure there have been no changes. Click here for a complete list of reciprocal zoos and aquariums.

8. Do members get free guest passes?

Only the Conservation Partner membership receives four one-time-use guest passes. The Family Passport and Annual Pass memberships do not include guest passes, but named adult members may bring two half-price guests each visit.

Gift Membership

1. Should I buy a gift membership or gift card?

If you’d like your gift recipient’s membership to start right away, purchase a membership instead of a gift card. Please note, membership begins at time of purchase, not when membership cards are picked up. Online gift membership purchasers should enter the cart through Gift Membership even when renewing a membership. If you prefer to let your recipient choose when their membership begins, we suggest giving a gift card in the amount of the membership. Then the membership will start when the gift card is applied to a membership purchase. We can mail a gift card to you or your recipient. If you purchase an electronic gift card, you have the option to email it to yourself or your recipient.

2. How do I redeem a gift card?

Gift cards are redeemable for membership at the zoo or through the mail. Please do not mail the physical card to the zoo. If any value is left on your gift card after your membership purchase, you are welcome to use the remainder at either ZooStore, for ZooParent animal adoptions or for carousel rides and parking. Plus, your gift card can be reloaded over and over again!

3. Will you honor a membership gift certificate I received years ago?

Yes! Please call membership customer service at (206) 548-2425 for assistance. Though our membership offerings have changed, you will receive an Annual Pass or Family Passport comparable to the one shown on your gift certificate. Please note, gift certificates are different than gift cards. Gift cards are hard plastic (like a credit card!) and have a cash value. Gift certificates (issued through 2008) are paper and redeemable for a membership comparable to the one indicated on the gift certificate.

4. Can I renew a gift membership online?

Yes! Always select "Gift Membership" when purchasing a membership online for someone else, even if your purchase is a renewal. We make sure that your gift is attached to your recipient's existing record. If their membership is still active, a full year of membership will be added beyond their current expiration date. If their membership has expired, their new membership will expire on the last of the month one year from the date of purchase.

5. Do I need to know my gift recipient's online account information in order to renew their membership?

No. Accounts are intended for use by the member only. Always select "Gift Membership" when purchasing a membership for someone else, even if you are renewing their membership. As long as you have your recipient's name and address as it appears in our database, we will be able to link your gift to their existing account.

6. Do I have to create an account to purchase a gift membership?

General Questions

1. When does my membership expire?

Memberships expire on the last day of the month one year from the date of purchase, unless the previous purchase was an early renewal. You can find the expiration date on your membership card. If you are unable to locate your card or have not picked it up yet, call membership customer service at (206) 548-2425 or stop by the membership office at either zoo entrance.

2. How can I change my address?

3. Can I change a name on my membership?

Woodland Park Zoo membership is non-transferable. Name changes can be made when you renew your membership, and you may renew your membership early at any time. If you're not ready to renew early, you may customize your membership to suit your needs.

4. Is my membership transferable?

Your named adult membership card is non-transferable and can only be used by the individual named on the membership. Whereas the Flexible Guest membership card is an unnamed card that may be used by a different person every day. A separate card is issued for the flexible guest, so the bearer may visit the zoo with or without the named adult(s) listed on the membership. This is perfect for nannies/sitters or significant others that may or may not visit frequently.

All membership purchases are final, and membership cards and associated privileges are non-transferable. Refunds will not be issued for any reason. Memberships start at time of purchase, not when member cards are picked up. Your expiration date will be a year from the purchase date, or if you are renewing early, a year will be added to your current expiration date. For the enjoyment of all guests, Woodland Park Zoo may refuse admission, control occupancy, or expel any person whose conduct endangers or disrupts patrons, animals or others.